PennDOT Launches Video to Assist Pennsylvanians in Navigating Roundabouts

PennDOT Launches Video to Assist Pennsylvanians in Navigating Roundabouts

1/11/2017-HARRISBURG

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today launched a
video
to assist Pennsylvanians in navigating roundabouts. The video instructs
viewers
how to use both single and multi-lane roundabouts whether in a vehicle, on
a
bicycle or on foot.

The video can be accessed by visiting the roundabout page on
www.penndot.gov or
by visiting the department's YouTube channel.

"Data shows that modern-day roundabouts reduce crash severity and injuries
while improving traffic flow," said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards.
"This
video illustrates how to navigate these intersections regardless of how you

travel."

A modern roundabout is a type of circular intersection where traffic flows
continuously in a counterclockwise direction around a central island and
where
the entry traffic must yield to the circulating traffic. The Federal
Highway
Administration (FHWA) encourages implementing roundabouts as they have been

proven to significantly improve safety and reduce traffic delays over
traditional stop- or signal-controlled intersections. In tandem with the
FHWA's
recommendation, the Pennsylvania State Transportation Innovation Council
(STIC)
has prioritized implementing roundabouts as alternatives to traditional
intersections when possible.

Crash rates and severity of at least three years of data from before and
after
installation for the state's first 10 modern roundabouts built at previous
traditional stop-sign or signal-controlled intersections showed that fatal
crashes were eliminated (two to zero) and major-injury crashes were also
eliminated (four to zero). Additionally, moderate-injury crashes were
reduced
by 71 percent (seven to two) and minor-injury crashes by 25 percent (16 to
12)
as well as the total number of crashes which dropped by 16 percent (63 to
53).

National studies have shown that modern roundabouts reduce fatal crashes by
up
to 90 percent and result in a 75 percent reduction in injury-causing
crashes.
Modern roundabouts also improve pedestrian safety by allowing people to
cross
shorter distances with slower moving one-way traffic.

Modern roundabouts have been being built in the United States for less than
30
years and in Pennsylvania for less than 15 years. In Pennsylvania, there
are
currently 32 completed roundabouts, 20 under construction and at least 10
more
expected to go to construction over the next two years. To learn more about

roundabouts, visit www.penndot.gov and enter "roundabouts" in the search
bar.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jan Huzvar, 717-783-8800

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